Page 4 of A Dangerous Engagement

Though Lady Blackstone bore the facial lines of a lady of forty years, her hair was not yet gray but rather a light brown. She tucked Aunt Agnes’s hand inside her elbow. Mr.Ratley gave Auntie his arm, then offered his other arm to Felicity. There was nothing in his manner to give her alarm—his gaze was gentle, though intense—so she accepted his arm and kept her eyes on the garden walk ahead.

“Miss Appleby, I have heard from my sister-in-law, Mrs.Mayson, that you are a great novel reader. Pray, tell me, what are your favorite novels?”

With Lady Blackstone engaging Auntie’s attention on her most beloved subject, Felicity was very aware of Mr.Ratley and the quiet way he was inclining his head toward her. And finally, he spoke.

“Lady Blackstone has kept the garden very much as it was when the monks of Doverton Abbey owned it. Here you can see their herb garden amongst the flowers and shrubs.”

“Are you interested in horticulture, sir? Or botany, perhaps?”

“No. That is, I know a little of the subjects, but very little. I was a soldier before my father died and left me a substantial fortune.”

Well, she was not sure what Lady Blackstone had told him, but she would let him know right away that if he wished for a wife with a large fortune—

“So I may marry as I wish. It is a luxury, a consequence of inheriting such a great fortune.”

“I do not believe most heirs would share your opinion of the business, Mr.Ratley.” She nearly laughed. “In fact, most would feel as though they now had the opportunity to improve on their fortune by marrying an equal or greater one.”

“I understand you, Miss Mayson—you do not mind my calling you Miss Mayson?”

“Of course not. It is my name.”

“I only mean that ... Lady Blackstone refers to you by your given name, and I hope I do not make a mistake and call you Miss Felicity.”

“If you do, it is all right. I am not the oldest daughter in my family.”

“Felicity is such a pretty name, so charming and feminine. It suits you perfectly.”

His cheeks turned red, and he seemed to have difficulty looking her in the eye.

Felicity did laugh. “You must accustom yourself as best you can to it, I suppose.”

He shook his head. “Forgive me. I was prepared to admire you, as Lady Blackstone had told me you were a remarkable woman, but I do not often meet with such beauty as yours.”

Felicity wasn’t sure which urge was greater—the urge to laugh or to roll her eyes. “I think it best if we talk of other things, as my mother taught me never to receive flattery.”

“Forgive me. I was quite forward.”

“Not at all.” The moment was becoming awkward.

“But I believe we were speaking of the rather indelicate subject of fortunes. Miss Mayson, you must think me terribly ungentlemanlike.”

“What?” Lady Blackstone cried. “You have very gentlemanlike manners, Mr.Ratley.” Lady Blackstone leaned forward and stopped walking. They were all forced to stop as well.

Felicity was determined to set forth the truth. “Mr.Ratley was just informing me that he has inherited a great fortune, but Mr.Ratley, I do not think you ungentlemanlike at all. Rather, I admire your forthrightness, and I shall attempt to duplicate it by divulging that I have no fortune at all.”

They all stared at her.

Should she set his mind at ease by excusing him now from further flirtation?

“But I thought your father was very successful in his business in London?” Lady Blackstone’s brows drew together.

“He is successful, but I am one of thirteen children, my lady, and can expect little when I marry. My father has settled only a hundred pounds per annum on myself and my younger sister.”

There. The truth was out, and Mr.Ratley could shun her as he pleased.

Mr.Ratley gazed down at her and squeezed her hand, which rested on his arm. “As I said before, it is well that I do not need to care about the dowry of the woman I marry, since I have my own fortune.”

Felicity again felt the urge to laugh. Surely this man was in jest, as no one said such things. He could not be so disinterested. She’d never known anyone to take such a view. And yet, he seemed perfectly serious.